The 7 Best Infant Car Seats of 2023

Where to buy: Check price on Amazon

12 Best Convertible Car Seats 2023

A car seat just might be the most important item you buy for your baby. Not only is it a newborn essential, perfect for adding to your baby registry, but the right one lasts until your little one is in school. Is there any other baby gear you can say the same about?

In short, when shopping for the best convertible car seat, it pays to invest in something great. Lucky for you, we’ve already done the research. We’ve rounded up the best car seat options, including the best budget option and one that accommodates kids up to 120 pounds.

Each comes with excellent crash testing records and the best possible safety features.

What to look for in the best convertible car seat

While most car seats will focus on the maximum weight, it’s also important to consider the maximum height as many kids will outgrow the height restrictions for their seats before they’re too heavy. The convertible car seats below accommodate kids to at least four feet, often as a booster.

Consider how often you’ll be moving the seat into and out of your car and base your choice on how easy the car seat is to install. Remember that convertible car seats aren’t compatible with strollers so if you want something that’s part of a travel system, you’ll have to start with a newborn seat and switch to a convertible seat when your baby is a toddler.

“There are a lot of amazing convertible car seats to choose from these days, but before making your purchase I encourage you to consider a few extras—like your child’s stature,” says Care Sinclair, certified car seat technician and parenting educator.

“Are they petite? or are they tall? Some car seat models offer higher rear and forward-facing harness height limits and weight limits, so this is important. I also like to consider how easy the seat is to install, how easy it is to clean, and if the seat has a harness that’s easy to move and reposition as they grow.”

Most importantly, all car seats, whether convertible or not, should be approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics or a similarly-qualified body of experts. National Highway Traffic Safety guidelines should also be followed for infant car seats for height and weight limits. This goes for front and rear-facing car seats of all kinds.

The best convertible car seat picks for 2023

• Best overall: Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat
• Best life span: Britax One4Life ClickTight All-in-One Car Seat
• Best budget-friendly: Safety 1st Guide 65 Convertible Car Seat
• Best character-themed convertible car seat: Disney Baby Grow and Go All-in-One Convertible Car Seat
• Best luxury option: Clek Foonf Convertible Car Seat
• Best for front seat leg room: Safety 1ˢᵗ Adjust ‘n Go 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat
• Best for sun protection: Baby Trend Cover Me 4-in-1 Harness Convertible Car Seat
• Best swivelling car seat: Graco Turn2Me 3-in-1 Car Seat
• Best Walmart:Graco TrioGrow SnugLock 3-in-1 Car Seat
• Best toddler:Chicco NextFit Zip Convertible Car Seat
• Best under $100:Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX
• Best slim:Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat

Best overall convertible car seat

Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat

Merchant

This is considered the best overall convertible car seat for many reasons—including that it has five stars on Amazon with almost 69,000 ratings. Reviewers love the affordable price and how comfortable it is for even bigger kids to sit rear-facing. We love the quick, effective installation and affordable pricing.

The profile of this convertible car seat is also somewhat slimmer than other contenders on the market. This makes it ideal for smaller cars and sedans.

As Amazon-verified shopper Kyle Millerick says, “One of the best features of this seat is the Extend2Fit adjustable leg rest, which provides an additional 5 inches of leg room, allowing your child to comfortably sit rear-facing for longer. This feature is great as it allows your child to ride rear-facing up to 50 pounds.”

Pros

• Easy to install
• Comfortable for rear-facing kids
• Affordable
• Pockets keep straps out of the sun and out of the way
• Forward-facing height up to 49 inches

Cons

Best life span

Britax One4Life ClickTight All-in-One Car Seat

Merchant

Want a car seat that will take your baby from the newborn pacifier years through their moody tween era? This is the best convertible car seat for you. Babies as small as five pounds and kids as big as 120 pounds and 63 inches can ride in this comfy seat.

It offers 15 different positions and ventilation so your kid stays cool. It also has five stars on Amazon and reviewers love how easy it is to install. We love the modern styling, enhanced safety features and added impact protection that goes the extra mile. We tried this one with our own kids, who reported “loving” the soft cushions and deep cupholders.

Pros

• Goes from newborn seat to booster
• Promises 10 years of use
• Harness and headrest move together for the right fit as your child grows
• Extra padding on the hardness
• Nine recline positions
• 15 height positions

Cons

• Somewhat more expensive than other options, but worth the price

Best budget-friendly

Safety 1st Guide 65 Convertible Car Seat

This compact convertible car seat has a small footprint so it’s great for compact cars. It’s also lightweight and easy to travel with. Kids up to 40 pounds can sit rear-facing. The seat also accommodates kids up to 65 pounds forward-facing.

We love how easy it is to install and quick it is to clean. It’s also relatively lightweight, which is great news if you switch your convertible car seat out between rides.

An extremely affordable option at about $99, the Safety 1st 65 is often bought as a second car seat for a second vehicle. We love it as the go-to seat for Grandma’s car.

Pros

• Affordable price point
• Lightweight design
• Narrow
• Maximum height is 53 inches

Cons

• Children must be forward-facing by 40 pounds
• Some reviewers say it can be tricky to install

Best character-themed

Disney Baby Grow and Go All-in-One Convertible Car Seat

Merchant

Tiny Disney lovers can ride in style in the family car in this colorful, Minnie Mouse-themed convertible car seat. It’s not all flashy character design, though. This affordable Baby Grow option from Safety 1st offers many of the same safety features as other brands, including a five-point harness and a stainless steel frame.

The maximum rear-facing weight is 40 pounds and it accommodates kids up to 100 pounds and 52 inches tall as a big kid booster seat. If you’ve got a Disney enthusiast in the house, attractive design is affordable and downright exciting to sit in.

Pros

• Disney theme
• Affordable
• Certified for use on airplanes
• Easy to clean
• Simple to install

Cons

• Some reviewers complain that the car seat rattles when there’s no baby in it

Best luxury convertible car seat

Clek Foonf Convertible Car Seat

Merchant

This is the most expensive option on our list of best convertible car seats, but people swear by it. It’s not only sleek and modern-looking but it’s built to look and feel like a part of your car. The manufacturers promise that it’s so sturdy, “you’d swear the seat becomes one with your vehicle.”

The Foonf accommodates children in rear-facing mode from 14 pounds, but you can buy an insert—called the “Infant Thingy Insert”—that will take babies as small as five pounds. Parents rave about the perfect mashup of modern styling and vintage lines. Little ones report loving the supportive headrest and cushions.

Pros

• Beautiful design
• Made with patented energy-absorbing crumple technology
• Manufactured in North America
• Easy to wipe down
• Removable elements for easy cleaning

Cons

• Somewhat expensive, though worth the hefty price tag
• Requires additional purchase to accommodate a newborn

Best for front seat legroom

Safety 1ˢᵗ Adjust ‘n Go 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat

Merchant

While keeping baby safe is a top priority, it can be a bummer when the adults in the car are riding with their knees up around their ears. This seat, which accommodates infants in rear-facing positions from five to 40 pounds, offers up to seven inches more leg room for those seated in the front seat.

Another seat that offers a long lifespan, this one converts into a booster and can hold kids up to 80 pounds and 52 inches. Plus the pads and cup holder are easy to remove and clean. It’s a larger-format, boisterous model that takes up significant room in the back seat, but it offers all the roomy bells and whistles of far more expensive convertible car seat options.

Pros

• Offers more legroom for those in the front seats
• Easy to clean
• Includes seat insert for smaller babies

Cons

• Reviewers say that there’s not enough padding

Best for sun protection

Baby Trend Cover Me 4-in-1 Harness Convertible Car Seat

Merchant

Gone are the days of babies crying instead of sleeping because the sun is in their eyes. And say goodbye to fussing with suction cups and window shades. This four-in-one convertible car seat comes with an adjustable UPF50+ canopy. If you’re driving at peak sun hours, added sun protection is worth every cent.

This seat also accommodates babies as small as four pounds and converts to a booster seat for kids up to 100 pounds and 57 inches tall. We also love that this infant seat is affordably priced at Walmart, so you can add it to your cart while scooping up Walmart twin mattresses and other budget-friendly items.

Pros

• Easy to adjust and recline
• One of the best 4-in-1 car seats on the market
• Adjustable and removable canopy
• Fits three across in most vehicles

Cons

Best swiveling car seat

Graco Turn2Me 3-in-1 Car Seat

Merchant

Keeping your little one rear-facing for as long as possible is so much easier if you can turn the car seat to put them in it. This swiveling seat means that you don’t have to contort your body while your baby kicks their feet and arches their back. We can’t promise that they won’t still kick and arch, but it’ll be easier on your back.

Amazon verified purchaser Amber A. Larsen says “This car seat is the Audi of car seats. It’s sleek, plush, and stunning looking. It feels very safe and solid without sacrificing baby’s comfort. Like all rotating car seats, it’s a beast so if you swap it between car seats a lot it’s probably not the choice for you.”

This model also topped our list of the best rotating car seats on the market.

Pros

• Accommodates babies as small as four pounds and kids as big as 100 pounds and 57 inches tall
• Seat swivels when rear-facing
• Reviewers say that it feels luxurious
• Easy to install

Cons

• Somewhat more expensive than other models, but worth the upgrade

Best Walmart

Graco TrioGrow SnugLock 3-in-1 Car Seat

Merchant

Our guide to the best Walmart car seat options called this Graco TrioGrow model the top option at the affordable mega retailer. It installs quickly and easily, goes from an infant seat to a high-back booster in a jiffy. It also has been rigorously safety tested—something we take very seriously. A 4.5-star average rating, a great price and cup holders give it a solid win.

Walmart verified purchaser Bella wrote, “My daughter loves this car seat! I love that it works for up to 100 pounds. It was super easy to install, it’s not super bulky so it fits really well in my car and still leaves plenty of room in the back seat, and I didn’t break the bank buying it.”

Pros

• Top-rated, affordable Walmart pick
• Extremely fast shipping
• Eligible for Walmart car seat trade-in events
• Five-point harness buckles
• Grows with baby from infancy to toddlerhood and early childhood
• Easy to clean and wipe material

Cons

• A bit heavy, so best committed to a single car
• Cupholders can be cumbersome to clean

Best toddler

Chicco NextFit Zip Convertible Car Seat

Merchant

This classic Chicco convertible car seat topped our list of the best toddler car seat designs on the market, and we think it’s worth every penny. The NextFit has thousands of positive reviews on Amazon from parents who praise this popular pick for its easy installation, overall comfort and multiple safety features. It’s also easy to clean, which is key when you’re low on time and big on snacks.

Zip seat pads right off (no buttons to fuss with!) and throw them directly in the washing machine on the delicate cycle. The NextFit features two layers of protection, EPS energy-absorbing foam and a steel-reinforced frame so your little’s head and torso are properly protected. Other features to love are the nine-position recline in both rear-facing and forward-facing, adjustable headrest and loads of other goodies.

Pros

• Ideal for toddlers ages one through four
• Affordable
• Easy installation
• Simply to wipe down
• Supports healthy spine growth and alignment
• Offered in a variety of neutral color combos

Cons

• Slightly pricier than other options on the market, but well worth every penny

Best under $100

Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX

Merchant

With two modes of use, this cozy, comfortable LATCH-equipped Cosco convertible car seat accommodates infants from five pounds up to toddlers weighing 40 pounds in rear-facing mode. Forward-facing mode handles children up to 65 pounds with ease. It’s compact and easy to carry, which means it’s a breeze to bring to the airport and get through security checks.

A five-point harness adjusts easily from the front of the seat and features several heights and three buckle locations, and, because it’s relatively slim, you can easily fit three across in most car back seats. Yup—even the new Subaru Crosstrek can neatly squeeze three of these in the back row. Built-in side impact protection keeps your baby extra secure while a fool-proof seat belt install makes it easy for even the most novice parents.

We love the easy-to-clean fabric that’s machine washable and dryer safe, as well as meeting federal, ASTM and JPMA safety standards. Oh, and it comes with a one-year limited warranty. That’s a lot of value for a low price. The cup holders for the seats included here actually detach and clean with ease.

Pros

• Extremely affordable (under $80)
• Well-made, solid construction
• Easy installation
• Neutral color palette
• Top-rated with a 4.4-star Amazon average

The 7 Best Infant Car Seats of 2023

Discover the top infant car seats of 2023 to help you and your baby travel safely and comfortably. We tested each model with our kids for several months to give you a real-life review of the best seats available today and help you find the one that’s right for you.

QUICK GUIDE: IN THIS ARTICLE

We focus on infant car seats in our ranking as these are our favorite models. They are specially designed for newborns and infants until about 18 months old, and are all rear-facing car seats (the safest position).

You might also want to take a look at convertible car seats if you want a seat that will grow with your child but you should first read why we think infant car seats are better for young children.

There are no bad options in our top infant car seats and they all meet the safety regulations to protect your baby in the car.

Recommended

Best Travel Systems

The Chicco KeyFit 30 is overall the best infant car seat of 2023 because of its excellent safety score, easiness to install and value for money. But the UPPAbaby MESA V2 is a better choice if you have the budget because of its natural fabric that’s light and breathable without using nasty chemicals as flame retardants.

We also love the Maxi-Cosi Mico Luxe for its versatility and compatibility with most of the best strollers available today. The Graco SnugRide, on the other hand, isn’t our preferred model but is a good option if you’ll often be using the seat for short taxis or Uber rides as it’s lighter to carry around.

The Peg Perego Primo Viaggio is a safer seat for taxis or Ubers thanks to its European seat belt path but is also the heaviest seat on our list. We only recommend it if you’ll be using the seat for longer rides.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to see how we tested each seat and what you should pay attention to when choosing your infant car seat.

Without further ado, here’s a summary of our list of the 7 best infant car seats of 2023.

Best Infant Car Seats of 2023

Model	Editor’s Rating	Category
Chicco KeyFit 30	9.8/10	Best Overall
Peg Perego Primo Viaggio	9.8/10	Best European Belt Path
UPPAbaby MESA V2	9.7/10	Best Premium
Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX	9.7/10	Best Lightweight
Maxi-Cosi Mico Luxe	9.6/10	Best Stroller Compatibility
Britax B-Safe Gen2	9.2/10	Best for Preemies
Evenflo LiteMax 35	9.1/10	Best Value

1. Chicco KeyFit 30: Best Overall Infant Car Seat

We like:

• Excellent crash test scores.
• Very easy to safely install the base.
• Comfortable for baby.
• Best overall car seat for that price.

We don’t like:

• Only the American seat belt fastening is possible without the base.
• Canopy is on a small side, you might need extra sun protection.

The Chicco KeyFit 30 is the best infant car seat for this price and will be perfect for most parents; however, if you’re a regular taxi user we would recommend another car seat that’s lighter and easier to carry around (see alternatives below).

The Chicco KeyFit 35 is an excellent option as well, the main differences being that it has an anti-rebound bar, is designed for babies from 4-35 pounds and 32 inches in height (KeyFit 30 is for 4-30 lbs and up to 30” in height), is slightly heavier and more expensive.

2. Peg Perego Primo Viaggio: Best European Belt Path

We like:

• Excellent crash test results.
• European seat belt path makes it safer when not using the base.
• Beautiful design and soft materials.
• Very comfortable for extensive periods of time.

We don’t like:

• One of the heaviest seats in our tests.
• Premium quality comes with a premium price tag.

Where to buy: Check price on Amazon

If you expect your baby to spend a lot of time at the back of your car, the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio is the absolute best car seat available today. With soft breathable fabric and plenty of extra padding, your baby will be comfortable for long journeys. The seat is our preferred option when used without its base thanks to its European seat belt path that doubles back at the back of the seat.

3. UPPAbaby MESA V2: Best Premium Car Seat

We like:

• The high-quality Merino wool fabric is naturally flame resistant without the addition of nasty chemicals.
• The fabric is also soft, lightweight and breathable to regulate your baby’s temperature.
• The adjustable no-rethread headrest makes it easy to adjust the height of the harness with your baby in the seat.
• It’s easy to install with and without the base. The base also has a special finishing on the bottom to protect your car seats.
• It has a beautiful premium design and a sturdy build quality.
• It’s easy to clean and maintain.

We don’t like:

• It’s one of the most expensive seats on the market.
• It’s also one of the heaviest seats that we’ve tested. Not the best option if you expect to often carry the seat without a stroller.
• The release button on the harness is a bit stiff. You’ll need a bit of practice before being able to unstrap your baby easily.

Where to buy: Check price on Amazon

We recommend the UPPAbaby MESA V2 if you can bump up your budget for a premium seat. The extra features are great and we love the natural wool fabric (less nasty chemicals and more breathable for your baby). But only you can decide if that’s worth the extra $150 compared to the Chicco KeyFit 30.

4. Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX: Best Lightweight Infant Car Seat

We like:

• Lightweight.
• Fairly affordable.
• Adjustable recline base.
• Large canopy.
• Machine washable cover.
• FAA Approved.

We don’t like:

• The harness requires rethreading to adjust the height.
• No rebound bar.

Graco has several SnugRide models, including the Click Connect and the 35 Lite LX. Weighing around 9.75 lbs, the Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX is one of the lightest infant car seats that we’ve tested, making it easy to carry around. We found it to be a definite improvement over the Graco SnugRide SnugLock seat, but still lacking compared to some of its competitors.

5. Maxi-Cosi Mico Luxe: Best Stroller Compatibility

We like:

• Very easy to install.
• Anti-rebound technology increases the safety of its base.
• Generous canopy to cover baby.
• Compatible with many stroller brands with and without adapters.
• 10 different color combinations to choose from.
• Light and easy to carry around.

We don’t like:

• Only the American seat belt fastening is possible without the base.
• Doesn’t come with a no-rethread harness, adjusting the height of the harness is thus more complicated.
• Lacks a recline angle indicator on the base.

Where to buy: Check price on Amazon

The Maxi-Cosi Mico Luxe is perfect if you already have a stroller from one of the compatible brands (Maxi-Cosi, but also Cybex, Nuna, Silver Cross and Quinny). We found it easy to install and made with some of the nicest fabrics we’ve seen. Additionally, the fabrics are fire-resistant and are made without added fire retardant treatments.

6. Britax B-Safe Gen2: Best Infant Car Seat For Preemies

We like:

• Excellent crash test results.
• Safe and comfortable for small infants and premature babies.
• Beautiful design and high-quality finishing.

We don’t like:

• Bigger babies might feel a bit squeezed.
• Won’t last you as long as some of the other seats in our tests.

Where to buy: Check price on Amazon

The Britax B-Safe Gen2 has so much extra padding that it’s the best seat for small babies. However, Britax has moved away from the B-Safe series (they now have the Britax Willow S Infant Car Seat) so you may only find it when looking for a Britax travel system set.

7. Evenflo LiteMax 35: Best Infant Car Seat under $100

We like:

• Excellent crash test results.
• Good value for money.
• One of the lightest seats available (8.8 pounds).

We don’t like:

• Not very comfortable for baby.
• The LATCH clips on the base are hard to attach.
• Materials and fabric feel cheap to the touch.

Where to buy: Check price on Amazon

The Evenflo LiteMax 35 is the best infant car seat available under $100. It’s one of the most lightweight options on the market and it meets all the safety regulations. It’s safe and good value but the fabric and lack of padding make it less comfortable for extensive use. It’s not our favorite seat, but for this price point it’s a great value.

How we select the best infant car seat of the year?

We worked hard to make this list of the top infant car seats of 2023 as objective as possible. For us, this started by recognizing that there is no absolute best. Every family has different needs and lifestyles, so we needed to first understand what the different expectations might be before evaluating car seats against those expectations.

For example, you’ll have very different expectations from your car seat if you’re always using it with its base fixed in your car versus using the seat in taxis without its base. Similarly, families who already have a stroller and want a car seat that is compatible with that stroller, will have different criteria (take a look at our ultimate infant car seat and stroller compatibility guide if that’s the case for you).

So how did we go about selecting the best infant car seats of the year? We started by creating a list of the top 35 best infant car seats available today by cross-referencing authoritative resources (see the full list below) with the best-selling models online. We then analyzed safety ratings, scores and reviews for each model to narrow down our list to the top models.

We purchased each seat on that list and gave two models to each family in our group. Everyone used their seats for a period of five months with their kids. Each seat was used extensively to get hands-on experience. We paid particular attention to their pros and cons and what they are like on a day to day basis.

After five months of testing, we all sat down together and shared our notes. We sometimes exchanged seats among us when we couldn’t reach a consensus on our reviews.

Finally, we assigned our rating to each seat. Safety is absolutely paramount when choosing an infant car seat, hence we gave more importance to crash test results in our ratings. We also considered the value that you get for the price of each seat and all the other extra features that make it easier to use them.

Choosing a seat that’s right for you and your baby

Buying an infant car seat for your child is one of the first important purchases that you’ll do as a parent, as you’ll need a seat to leave the hospital with your baby. It’s a critical decision, as certain requirements are even mandatory in some states. A good seat will help protect your child when traveling during the first journeys of their life. A great seat could make it a more pleasant and restful trip for everyone.

It’s an essential, but also very symbolic purchase.

We hope that this list of the best infant car seats was helpful to you. Please let us know if you would like us to review other models that weren’t mentioned above. We always love to hear from you.

Further reading recommendations about infant car seat safety

We used several authoritative sources to help with our list of the best infant car seats. We recommend that you read them if you want to learn more about car seat safety in general. These are also great resources if you want to understand a particular aspect of child safety or want to stay up-to-date with the latest research.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Child Passenger Safety Board have excellent in-depth resources on car safety for children. We recommend you start there:

If you want to explore car safety even further, we recommend the following resources that were used when writing this article:

We also took inspiration from a few other excellent guides online to help us select which seats should be included on our list:

Samantha is a busy mother of four, who loves finding the best products to help in raising children. She graduated from BYU in Marriage and Family Studies. When she isn’t writing or testing new products, you can find her playing board games with her kids and teaching them creative strategies.